Separate rollover accidents close highways near Kremmling

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KREMMLING — A semitrailer hauling construction lumber from Parshall rolled on Highway 40 around 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, about 14 miles west of Kremmling, spilling lumber and closing the highway for about 2 hours and trapping the two occupants of the truck for 2.5 hours.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol; however, excessive speed and driver inexperience are thought to be contributing factors to the accident, according to a press release from the Patrol. The truck was travelling westbound when it entered a left turn and rolled onto its right side. The truck and trailer traveled off the right side of the roadway, down the embankment and rolled onto its roof.

The driver was Mateo Zamora-Cuaxilotl, 21, of California, and was cited for careless driving, causing bodily injury and numerous other motor vehicle violations, according to the press release. The passenger was identified as Hernan Lopez, 50, also of California, and was cited for permitting an unlicensed person to drive a vehicle. The driver sustained minor injuries, while the passenger sustained moderate, non-life-threatening injuries, according to statements. Both were flown by helicopter to Denver area hospitals to seek medical attention after they were extricated from the vehicle.

West Grand Fire and EMS, Granby Fire and EMS, Kremmling Fire and EMS, East Grand Fire and EMS, Flight for Life, and North Colorado Med Evac responded to the scene to provide emergency medical services, while Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Kremmling Police and the Colorado Department of Transportation helped manage traffic.

Monday rollover

A vehicle rolled multiple times and caught fire just south of Kremmling on Highway 9 around 1 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 2, closing the highway for about 30 minutes.

There were two people in the vehicle at the time of the accident, a 10 year-old boy and an adult male. Both sustained head injuries and were flown to Denver area hospitals after being transported to the Kremmling Hospital. The vehicle reportedly became fully engulfed in flames, according to the call log from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. At press time, Colorado State Patrol was not available to provide more details.